dazzlar3

Well it was slightly interesting...I would have liked to seen more of the construction of the narrow boat that went to Sawley Marina.... The houseboat abroad was huge and it looked like the narrowboat bound for Sawley was a large widebeam. I didn't feel the programme was interesting enough...you could have easily made a 1hr + programme on just the Nottingham boat.....oh well

Couple having a narrowboat built from scratch.....may ne worth a look see Programme is called My Floating Home

Even though I originally posted this and I do not own a Three Wheeler and will never own one.....my father owned several of these as I was growing up ! I eventually talked him into getting a full driving licence about 10yrs ago....but from experience I can tell you they are one weird car....bike...trike !! whatever you want to call them..... Many names have been given to them...like....Plastic Pig, Milking Stool.....Plastic Coffin !! Many a joke have also been given to them...like.. 'What do you call a upside down relaint with a beach ball in it...... A Whistle !' What do you call a reliant with no wheels....A Sledge !' I used to get serious ribbing at school after my father would drop me off but I always met those jibes with the same saying.... "3rd class driving is better than 1st class walking"

This is from personal opinion...... I have found during my life that I have aquired possessions just because I could ! not because I needed them...you know how it goes...something catches your eye and you immediately think 'I want it'.....after years of doing this I am now in a state of mind that is currently seeing me giving away things and selling things for the narrowboat pot.....the only things I shall keep are the obvious living items and things that truly remind me of family You almost have to do a full circle to realise that all those things were really not that important after all......it sounds like your realising that good for you

Yes...I asked to view and got the scam reply... I felt stupid because I allowed myself to start drifting off into the dream world of having my own narrowboat......I guess I got carried away...

Well today unfortunately I came across my first bone fide scam in my search for a Narrowboat.... I found a site that was supposedly selling narrowboats of all descriptions....although I maybe should have seen the signs earlier.. I figured from the initial look that the boat seemed to be a project boat...although it never actually said so..... I kind of made that decision in my own mind based on the price which was well below 10k and I expected also the boat to have some age for that price too....IT DIDN'T !! but I still missed the signs !! stupidly !! I was ignoring the obvious signs....which in hindsight stood out a Yorkshire Mile !! Anyway I emailed to try and get more info...to which I got a speedy reply which said the following: Hi , I appreciate your interest . My advert is still valid , the boat runs and drives excellent and has been extremely well maintained with all necessary documents available . The only problem is that I am now located in Plymouth (PL9 9RP) . It is also posted on eBay, and if you want to buy through eBay and PayPal I can offer a free delivery and I take a commitment to deliver it with the same price ( £5,900 ) and including testing period. Regard This is the listing http://www.boatzone.co.uk/info.aspx?id=6007 Anyway.....suddenly like one of those eureka moments...the lights came on in my dim witted cob web ridden mind and once I removed my rose tinted glasses and stopped smoking funny fags....everything dawned on me..... Following a quick search online I find this info which is actually on this site ! in this forum !! http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=85303&page=5 These scumbags know no boundaries.... I supoose I'm lucky in a way but feel utterly stupid...

O M G !! This is a Father Christmas wish list special..... How many of you would want one of these

I thought this boat looked familiar.....I actually pondered on this one myself...! Just goes to show being at the right place at the right time can pay off.... I've looked at all the interior of this one and I think you have an exceptional bargain....put your own mark on this one and it will be a lovely home on the water Once again...well done... I would be very interested in how this turns out for you...maybe you could help a few of us along by posting a few updates as you go along

Congratulations and well done......extremely envious ! Happy Times to come

Well...well...actually I do have that one DeanS....downloaded in PDF and it is stored in my BOAT Folder on my laptop....although I'm not sure if it's the most up to date one....but the one I have says the following... "CRT guidance for boaters without a home mooring.May 2012: this is as published by British Waterways October 2011 with changes to organisation name only." I'm sure someone will tell me if there is indeed a newer version than the one I have...... I have several PDF guides from the Trust as well as local canal groups too...some boring...some slighlty interesting and some very, very important, cannot do without ones Plus copious amounts of video's too ranging from how to guides, essential maintenance guides etc, etc....which up to now have been of vary interest....

Thanks everyone..... I now have a decent list of books which I will be ordering tomorrow.....looking very forward to reading them all.. thank you very much

Found the book...on Amazon....by Marie Browne

That looks a very interesting book....thank you for the offer but I would not want to take your copy away from you....but that is one I will add to my list I will be visiting my local library tomorrow and putting in a request for books..... I know what you mean about the office talk.....I'm a local councillor ...and the amount of times I've chuckled in meetings when someone as done what you described.....especially when what they say makes absolutely no sense but everyone else around the table nods as though they understood perfectly

Pmsl.....thats what happens when you don't re-read what the active spell checker on your tablet thinks you mean !! ...positive attitude

I am no expert but during my search for my own narrowboat I have been presented with a few survey reports and they have been several pages thick !! I would have expected more information than you appear to have been supplied with.....have you tried asking for a more detailed report ? It looks or sounds like the agent and surveyor have a nice little earner going !

Hi everyone, hope everyone is well and afloat Some of you may know that I am looking at living the rest of my life aboard a narrowboat....and I am moving forward with positive attitude so far. I would like to read up on narrowboats and also life as a liveaboard......are there any books any members would recommend please.... Educating myself more and more as each day comes but would appreciate further reading recommendations Thanks Darren

I too intend to be a CC'er With regards to mail the idea I had was to have all my mail sent to my sisters home. As for important documents that I would need to attend to I have asked my sister to scan such documents and then send them to me by email. Of course I intend to have a computer and printer aboard so I can duplicate the said important documents...... That said...most documents these days can be emailed and most companies can make arrangements for such.....There may be a few situations that would require you to act in person but I cannot imagine that there would be many......we are fortunately strapped to the digital age....it's progress I'm told ) Basic email contact is a must......super important stuff sent to my sisters and of course where possible store original documents in the CLOUD so I can download them when ever and where ever I need them..... The only possible problem I have encountered for myself is of course DOCTOR's.....I require medication on a regular basis....I haven't quite figured this one out yet

No problems about the daughter being on the boat.....if anything my daughter would be a force to reckon with if she wasn't A proper daddies girl

Totally agree Magictime, you've hit the nail on the head.... I belive at the right price just about any boat can/could increase it's value if time and care are taken and any alterations done are done well... Obviously there are a few exceptions as my old dad would say "You can't put lipstick on a pig!...it's still a pig at the end of the day!" But careful alterations, precise work and detail can only add value in my opinion...as to a say £30k boat I would take it as a given that you would indeed take the time, care and professionalism to hold the boats value and looks.... Nothing lasts forever unless you put in the effort...

Repainting of a boat would not be a problem for me.....I do have rather a lot of experience with the painting of wood and metal for that matter...I used to work on portable accommadation units...the outside and inside...full painting and decorating and fitting of all services including plumbing, electrical etc so that part does not put me off in any way...on top of that I have my joinery skills too.....I have worked on a few other boats in my past as well as refitting of caravans too so I am used to working in tight spaces and do have good knowledge of using space to it's maximum. I don't underestimate how big a job it would be and of course I didn't have my disabilities back then when I was working on the portable accommodation units but my brain is still pristine it just takes a little longer for my body to catch up To me the boat I had mentioned seems to be of general good condition but of course I would find out more if I intended to purchase it. I do intend to be a cruiser, I want to travel very frequently....so I would more than likely set myself a running maintenance regime....plus I'm single (not by choice!, she thought the grass was greener elsewhere!).....the other consideration I have to have is for my young daughter who would visit me regularly on the boat...at the moment she is 5yrs old but I'll soon turn her into a canal captain

Obviously a survey is a MUST..... Yes...I agree on the front of "You inherit someone else's to do list" The thought of overplating had slipped my mind...you would expect something in that area by now wouldn't you on a boat from 1980...... I would envisage that checking the engine history is on the MAKE SURE list and also the usefullness of the fitted items like batteries, water tanks, toilet facilities, gas appliances...... Personally I can think of a few things but are there some obvious things I am not thinking of because of my lack of experience....I guess what I really mean is from YOUR experience of having and living on a boat.....are there some things that I'm not seeing and really should not forget...

I've been spending days and days looking around the country for a idea on prices. I was recently viewing boats at Sawley Marina...which as it happens is not too far away from me. Anyway, one of the boats caught my eye...I'll admit mostly because of price but it does look a very useful boat too...Obviously at this stage I'm not looking to buy immediately but I want to cover as many bases as possible beforehand.....and learn as much as I can as I move forward. The main thing that caught my eye in it's listing was it was from the year 1980.....it looks a honest boat So what do other members think of buying a boat which is clearly an pretty old girl........? What are the ultra main things that I should be cautious of ? I have experience of old boats but my knowledge ends at just leisure boating.....and obviously I am now looking for a liveaboard all year round. I'm not afraid of taking on a old girl but I would like to be fore warned before I become fore emptied in pocket !! As usual I bow to other members opinions and suggestions and it would help me in my quest....... ( this was the boat I was looking at https://bwml.co.uk/brokerage/sm-9335-spotty-dog/ )

Hi again Magictime..... Yours words and thoughts have been very helpful.....After quite a bit of thought over the last 48hrs I think a secondhand boat is what I will do...I have a budget in mind and it is a achievable budget over the next 24 months.....I am currently now sat at my desk working on different plans to use things I have aquired during my life and things that I have identified as cannot do without items to live aboard as a checklist against what is available at the time of purchase..... Hi Chubby, Thank you very much for your input....very much appreciated....you may see what I written above that indeed I do intend to purchase a secondhand boat.....by no means will I rush in but I will take my time on deciding what to purchase and how much it fits with what I need and don't need for that matter....thanks Hello Cheshire~Rose, Your words and information are very helpful, I do indeed intend to get involved with the Chesterfield Canal Trust and where possible offer my services in what ever way I can. The Chesterfield Canal is a wonderful place as it is now, even though the HS2 project as put a spanner in the works I know that the canal will reach it's final goal once the powers that be in Westminster realise how much their decisions mess up everybody else's normal lives ! and that their decisions are not always for the better...... Once there is a marina up and running at Staveley Basin it will be awesome......cannot wait Thank you everyone for your input up to now.....please keep firing your thoughts, ideas and suggestions at me.....none of it is discouraging and it is totally wanted.

To answer your query magictime I have for the last 15yrs had a problem with my discs/spine and I have learned to cope with what mobility I have, of course medication helps too.....I walk with a stick but I'm sure lots of other people do the same and cope their own way.....long term there is the chance that I would need two sticks to walk but as long as I do not damage what is left the outlook is as I am now....but I fully understand what you are saying in regards to when I am much older and I do indeed have a plan B...There is a family home which if needed I am able to move into in later years. but that said I was planning on living forever The more I think of it the more peoples comments of keeping it simple apply....maybe a secondhand boat is a better way to go...

Funny you should say that because whilst sitting here pondering and looking at several different options that thought had just occurred to me...... It may well be best for me to buy used/secondhand and do just what you have suggested....plus I would rather be on the water sooner than later...not that I mean at all costs no matter what....but the days feels longer where I am lol Show me the water !! the rest will fall into place....